FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

JANUARY 19, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                        

OFFICER DRAGGED MORE THAN 25 YARDS

GREENBELT, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today a federal jury convicted Clifford Cory Foster, age 29, of Capitol Heights, Maryland on charges of assaulting a Park Police officer and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on June 3, 2005 Foster was stopped by U.S. Park Police for suspected DWI. On approaching the pick-up truck, the officer smelled marijuana and saw leaves and seeds in Foster’s truck. As the officer was about to open a backpack that was in the bed of Foster’s truck, Foster ran to his truck, with a second officer in pursuit. Foster drove away, dragging the first park police officer for more than 25 yards. The backpack was still at the scene and a search uncovered approximately 6.24 ounces of marijuana packaged for distribution in various sized bags.

Foster faces a maximum sentence on the assault charge of 8 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release and 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 2 years of supervised release on the marijuana charge. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus has scheduled sentencing for February 10, 2006. The defendant remains detained pending sentencing.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the U.S. Park Police. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Skalla, who prosecuted the case.